Emotional reunion with the 1992 Yamaha YZR500: Motorcycle legend Wayne Rainey pilots a Grand Prix motorbike for the first time since crashing in 1993
Motorcycle legend Wayne Rainey made a guest appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend to pilot the 1992 Yamaha YZR500. For the first time since his serious crash at Misano in 1993, Rainey rode a genuine Grand Prix bike.
The Yamaha YZR500 was modified to allow Rainey to ride the bike. The US American has been a paraplegic since a serious crash at Misano almost 30 years ago. The gearstick was moved to the handlebars. The footrests were replaced by clipless pedals from the bicycle sector to fix Rainey on the bike.
“I was pretty excited to ride the YZR500,” admits Rainey, who has ridden a converted Yamaha superbike in the past. “With the R1, everything was so hassle-free because the new bikes have so many electronics these days,” he compares. “But with a 500cc Grand Prix bike it’s something else. “
But it didn’t take long for Rainey to feel comfortable again on his 1992 World Championship machine. “It felt like being with an old friend though. It was always a certain challenge to ride the bike at a certain level, to fight for race wins and championships. It was fantastic to ride this bike here 30 years later up the hill in a great environment,” the three-time 500cc world champion enthused.
“When I looked down while riding and saw my Grand Prix bike again, it felt like I was in another world after all these years. It couldn’t have been better than sharing that experience with Kenny (Roberts), Kevin (Schwantz) and Mick (Doohan). I thank the Duke of Richmond for inviting me and Yamaha for taking the bike out of the museum and customising it for me,” said Rainey.
